Man pleads guilty to killing ex-wife

A man who killed his ex-wife before driving her stolen car to Mississippi where police say he tried to commit suicide pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and is facing 30 years in prison.

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William "Billy" Lester Hunter, 51, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft by taking and voluntary manslaughter in the December slaying of his ex-wife and live-in girlfriend, 42-year-old Linda Holman, according to court records. Barrow County Superior Court Judge David Motes sentenced Hunter to 30 years in prison, according to court records.

Barrow County sheriff's deputies went to Holman's Laurel Lane house in Winder on Dec. 11 after Hunter's brother called police at Hunter's request.

Deputies initially didn't find anything out of place at the house. However, once inside, investigators found Holman's body in a locked bedroom, according to an incident report. After identifying Hunter as a suspect, investigators traced him to Mississippi. Hunter, Barrow County authorities said, stole Holman's 1995 Lincoln Continental and drove to Tunica County, Mississippi.

On Dec. 11, in a parking garage of Fitzgeralds Casino/Hotel in Mississippi, Hunter attempted suicide by shooting himself with a handgun, according to authorities there. He was taken to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where he remained for several weeks.

Investigators said they were unable to interview Hunter while he remained at the hospital, delaying his arrest.

An indictment handed down in May and arrest warrants issued in March charge Hunter with killing Holman between Dec. 8 and Dec. 11. Hunter was previously convicted of burglary, according to court records.